Meet Finnish running back Tytti Kuusinen.

Kuusinen’s romance with American football started out of ordinary. It was not the typical “I grow up seeing someone does this or that” story. However, it was love at first sight. Yes, it sounds cliché.

But when Kuusinen’s new classmate told her in the fall of 2012 that she was going to American football tryouts, curiosity kicked.

“I was like, okay, uh, well, I don't know anything about American football. All I know is that there is contact,” she said curiously. "I didn't know the rules, all I knew was that it's a team sport where everyone is wearing pads and there is contact, but nothing else."

Like any curious person, Kuusinen’s next reaction was hey, I am coming with you to try it. Despite playing soccer for 10 years, for the first time she felt like she was where she belonged.

"From the first practice I was like, yeah, this is where I should have been all the time. I felt like coming home. We had different kind of position drills, like carrying football and tackling. I felt good with them", she said.

It has since been a beautiful journey filling with laughter, medals, friendship, delights, and goals.

Besides, playing football is more than carrying and tackling. It is the mindset behind it.

"I think that the team spirit itself in football is so different because we are all the time protecting each other on the field and doing all, all our tasks for each other. So, I think that team spirit and team culture is so important in this sport", she said.

Dreams that become realities

For Kuusinen, representing her country is a big deal, especially at home.

"I started football when we had the last time World Championship in Finland in 2013, and some of my teammates were in the Finnish national team. I was in the audience to see the games and I was amazed. It was my first season playing and after seeing all the great players and games I was like; I want to be there. I want to get there", she said.

This dream becomes a reality.

“Now it's happening. I have been in a world championship 2017 and I have been at the European championships 2015 and 2019, but now I get to represent my country at home in the national championship, and that is something that I'm really honored and proud to do", she added.

Expectations are running high.

"I believe we are going to have great games during the tournament. I really hope tight games where teams really get to challenge each other and that we get some "unexpected scores". But the cherry on the case would be to get a medal at home.

The ultimate goal

"The NFL. Because that's something that we should have for women too", she thought.

"I think it is a big deal to show that we can do it just like them, like all the rules are the same only exception is a bit smaller ball. I think it's a big deal to show that football is as much for women's sport than for men's sport. Football is for everyone."

Kuusinen’s occupation

Kuusinen is currently playing for the Helsinki Wolverines in Finland. She has already played season on this year in the United States with the Boston Renegades, where they won WFA Pro Championship. She is working in occupational healthcare company in a marketing and communications. During off-season time, she does Olympic weightlifting.

Follow Tytti Kuusinen @tyttittyt for more on her journey.